Theme-Based Topics: Class Planning: Workshops, Courses, Series

Below you will find sample outlines for these theme series. The outlines are flexible. We include the following number of classes in the outlines but, of course, you can make the series much shorter (or longer).

  1. Stress & Yoga – 5 classes
  2. Eight Limbs of Yoga – 8 classes
  3. Yamas & Niyamas – 13 classes
  4. Ayurveda & Yoga – 4 classes
  5. Seasonal Yoga – 11 classes
  6. Chakras – 9 classes
  7. Kleshas – 6 classes
  8. Koshas – 7 classes
  9. Branches of Yoga – 9 classes
  10. Mythology – 10+ classes
  11. Qualities of Advancement – 5 classes
  12. Anatomy & Physiology – 4 classes

Stress & Yoga

  1. Nervous System
  2. Yoga for Stress Reduction
  3. Pranayama & The Breath
  4. Restorative Yoga
  5. Yoga Nidra

Eight-Limbed Path

  1. Introduction: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Eight Limbs, Sutras 2.28 and 2.29
  2. Overview, External and Internal Aspects
  3. Yamas & Niyamas
  4. Asana
  5. Pranayama
  6. Pratyahara
  7. Dharana & Meditation Practices
  8. Dhyana, Samadhi and Summary

Yamas & Niyamas

  1. Introduction: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Eight Limbs, Yamas & Niyamas
  2. Ahimsa
  3. Satya
  4. Asteya
  5. Brahmacharya
  6. Aparigraha
  7. Saucha
  8. Santosha
  9. Tapas
  10. Svadhyaya
  11. Ishvara Pranidhana
  12. Kriya Yoga
  13. Summary

Seasonal Yoga

  1. Introduction: Honoring Natural Rhythms
  2. Overview: Wheel of the Year
  3. Overview: About Seasonal Yoga, Seasonal Dosha-Balancing
  4. Dosha-Balancing for Current Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter
  5. Moon Phase – New Moon
  6. Moon Phase – First Quarter Moon
  7. Moon Phase – Full Moon
  8. Moon Phase – Third Quarter Moon
  9. Moon Phase – Dark / Balsamic Moon
  10. Eclipses (as relevant)
  11. Summary

Chakras

  1. Introduction, Prana & Energy, Sources, Importance of Personal Experience
  2. Muladhara
  3. Svadhisthana
  4. Manipura
  5. Anahata
  6. Vishuddha
  7. Ajna
  8. Sahasrara
  9. Summary

Branches of Yoga

  1. Introduction: History & Sources, Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Overview of Branches
  2. Bhakti – The Yoga of Devotion
  3. Hatha – Physical Yoga
  4. Jnana  – The Yoga of Wisdom
  5. Karma – The Yoga of Action
  6. Raja  – The Yoga of Patanjali
  7. Tantra – Liberation Possible in the World
  8. Others – Guru Yoga, Mantra Yoga
  9. Summary

Kleshas

  1. Introduction: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Disturbances to Peace of Mind, Sutra 2.3, 2.4, 2.10, 2.11
  2. Avidya
  3. Asmita
  4. Raga & Dvesha
  5. Abhinivesha
  6. Weakening Kleshas

Koshas

  1. Introduction: Kosha Model
  2. Annamaya Kosha
  3. Pranamaya Kosha
  4. Manomaya Kosha
  5. Vijnanamaya Kosha
  6. Anandamaya Kosha
  7. Summary

Yoga Mythology

  1. Introduction: Mythology, Sources, Gods, Goddesses
  2. Hindu Trinity
  3. Brahma, The Creator
  4. Vishnu, The Preserver
  5. Shiva, The Destroyer / Transformer
  6. Goddesses / Divine Feminine / Shakti
  7. Durga, The Mother Goddess & Slayer of Evils
  8. Lakshmi, The Goddess of Prosperity & Abundance
  9. Saraswati, The Goddess of Knowledge & The Arts
  10. Closing: More Topics & Sources

Qualities of Advancement

These topics come from master teacher Aadil Palkhivala, June 2016 Purna Yoga Newsletter.

  1. Sincerity, the urge to grow
  2. Humility, the willingness to change
  3. Discernment, appropriate and truthful guidance
  4. Integrity, consistent effort
  5. Patience, detachment and serenity

Anatomy & Physiology

  1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology Topic (Core or TA, Psoas, Spine or Lumbar Spine, Hips, Shoulders, etc)
  2. Basic Awareness: becoming aware of, feeling Anatomy Topic within class
  3. Awareness in Movement: applying awareness within different types of movement
  4. Sequence focused on Anatomy Topic

Yoga Tool Topics

Below you will find sample outlines for series based on these yoga tools. The outlines are flexible. We include the following number of classes in the outlines but, of course, you can make the series shorter or longer.

  1. Asana Categories – 9 classes
  2. Mantra / Chant / Sound – 5 classes
  3. The Breath & Pranayama – 6 classes

More Ideas

  • Meditation / Visualization
  • Mudras
  • Props & The Wall
  • Partner Yoga
  • Ritual, Sacred Space

Asana Categories

  1. Introduction: Pose Categories & Families
  2. Standing Poses & Balancing
  3. Forward Bends
  4. Backbends
  5. Twists
  6. Core Strengthening & Arm Balances
  7. Inversions
  8. Restoratives
  9. Balanced Class (Example: Hatha Balanced Int 75-min)

Mantra / Chant / Sound

  1. Introduction: Yoga of Sound, About Mantras
  2. Practice Technique Focus #1
  3. Practice Technique Focus #2
  4. Practice Technique Focus #3
  5. Summary